a low rate of

USAGE SUMMARY

'a low rate of' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe the speed or frequency at which something is happening. For example: "The company has maintained a low rate of turnover, which has allowed for a more consistent workforce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A low rate of response could be taken as disinterest.

The New York Times

He also noted a low rate of app purchases.

The Guardian - Tech

Is it a low rate of medical errors?

The New York Times

A12 Paradox in the Philippines Public health officials say they are stumped by a low rate of condom use and a low rate of H.I.V. infection.

The New York Times

And even women who did not get Zometa had a low rate of recurrence, he said.

The New York Times

Getting direct answers out of Schmidt would tax a saint – at a low rate, of course.

The Guardian - Tech

That is, black populations in rural West Africa show a low rate of hypertension (7percentt).

MIT Technology Review

One way of saving money and improving service is to ensure a low rate of workplace absence.

The Guardian

Fernando Clavijo said the result was a low rate of spending per head which did little to help growth.

The Guardian - Travel

For small businesses selling online for example, a late delivery could mean a low rate of return buyers.

The Guardian

Changing the high rate of compost to a low rate of compost reduced the P2O5 balance by 45%.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing statistics or research findings, use "a low rate of" to clearly indicate a small proportion or frequency of a specific outcome or event. This emphasizes the infrequency and can highlight positive results or areas needing attention.

Common error

Avoid using "a low rate of" when you actually mean "a slower pace of". "A low rate of" refers to the proportion or frequency of something, while "a slower pace of" refers to the speed at which something is happening. For example, it's correct to say "a low rate of errors" but you would say "a slower pace of development".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a low rate of" functions as a determiner followed by a noun, modifying another noun to indicate a small or infrequent occurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for describing quantifiable aspects across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

27%

Science

40%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a low rate of" is a versatile phrase used to describe a small or infrequent occurrence of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and appears frequently across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. Understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register allows for its effective use in writing. Remember to avoid confusing it with phrases like "a slower pace of", and consider alternative expressions such as "a minimal incidence of" or "a reduced frequency of" for variety. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately incorporate "a low rate of" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minimal incidence of

Replaces "rate" with "incidence" and "low" with "minimal", emphasizing the occurrence of something.

a reduced frequency of

Substitutes "rate" with "frequency" and "low" with "reduced", highlighting how often something happens.

a small proportion of

Uses "proportion" instead of "rate" and "small" instead of "low", focusing on the part or share of a whole.

a limited degree of

Replaces "rate" with "degree" and "low" with "limited", emphasizing the extent or intensity of something.

an infrequent occurrence of

Changes "rate" to "occurrence", which refers to an event, and "low" to "infrequent", denoting how rarely it happens.

a negligible level of

Replaces "rate" with "level" and "low" with "negligible", indicating that something is so small it's practically unimportant.

a slight amount of

Uses "amount" in place of "rate" and "slight" instead of "low", emphasizing the quantity or measure of something.

a scarce presence of

Substitutes "rate" with "presence" and "low" with "scarce", highlighting that something is hard to find or obtain.

a depressed figure for

Changes "rate" to "figure" and "low" to "depressed", which suggests a reduced or weakened state.

a diminished level of

Replaces "rate" with "level" and "low" with "diminished", which means something has been lessened or reduced.

FAQs

How can I use "a low rate of" in a sentence?

You can use "a low rate of" to describe a situation where something occurs infrequently or in small proportions. For example, "The city has "a low rate of crime"" or "The treatment resulted in "a low rate of complications"".

What are some alternatives to "a low rate of"?

Alternatives include "a minimal incidence of", "a reduced frequency of", or "a small proportion of", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a low rate of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a low rate of" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe statistical or quantitative data in reports, academic papers, and business documents.

What's the difference between "a low rate of" and "a high rate of"?

"A low rate of" indicates that something happens infrequently or affects a small portion, while "a high rate of" indicates the opposite – frequent occurrence or a large affected portion. For instance, "a low rate of infection" is desirable, whereas "a high rate of infection" is a cause for concern.